Went tp work on Wednesday and when I got ready to leave, the starter dragged ans then stopped. Now I have no solenoid click, all relays check out, all fuses good, all wiring seems to be ok. I'm a diesel mechanic so ive got the tools bit just not the know how on where to start. I got a starter im going to put in tomorrow but I'd really love to see a starting circut schematic and nuetral safety switch as well.

All lights, horn, alarms, radio, and all other body functions work fine. Don't know ecm location or pcm. Someone give me a sign

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Jump the two starter terminals, battery to 'S' terminal to separate the starting circuit from the starter. You can always shift to Neutral and try starting to see if its a Neutral safety switch issue or just measure for 12v at the (disconnected for safety) 'S' terminal of the starter when the ignition switch is turned to START.

Jump the two starter terminals, battery to 'S' terminal to separate the starting circuit from the starter. You can always shift to Neutral and try starting to see if its a Neutral safety switch issue or just measure for 12v at the (disconnected for safety) 'S' terminal of the starter when the ignition switch is turned to START.

Do you have any pics of the starter with the "S" terminal highlighted? The only terminals I say were from the battery cable and I have 12.3 VDC at both.

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Every 12v starter are constructed the same. The starter solenoid has three terminals. 1- A large terminal with two wires - large battery cable and a smaller wire feeding power to the alternator. This terminal is hot all the time since it's a direct feed from the battery. 2-Next to it is a small terminal -this is the 'S' terminal. Jumper across these two terminals with a hand held remote starter clipped to these two terminals or screwdriver to see if the starter powers up. Be sure the xmission is in park or neutral otherwise the car can move since you're deliberately bypassing everything. 3-The other large terminal has a braided wire to feed battery power from the switched solenoid contacts to power the start motor.

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Quick question, does the key need to be in the run position for the starter to crank? Im'm applying 12 VDC fom the battery with my power probe and I got nothing. I'm thinking the starter is just locked up. I dont hear any clicking or feel any movement with power applied. Am I wrong going this route?

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No ignition doesn't need to be turned on if you choose to use a screwdriver or wired remote start switch. 12v is already sitting on the large terminal of the starter solenoid so the starter is just waiting for the START/12v signal from the ignition switch when its turned to START. Using a screwdriver to short the large terminal to the small terminal simply bypasses everything to power up the starter. Its quick and easy troubleshooting to separate a starting circuit from starter problem. This presumes the battery and connections are in good working order.

Starters rarely lock up if you're familiar with starter operation. A power probe may not supply the current needed to power the starter solenoid. Figure anywhere from 3 amps+ to power starter solenoids. Its the reason I suggest using a screwdriver as you're supplying 12 v battery power directly from the solenoid battery connection to the small terminal - this terminal is the connection to the solenoid coil to power it. All ground connections are thru the case for starter motor or starter solenoid.

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Thanks, had a coworker of mine turn the key while I checked for power at the s terminal. got voltage but nothing happened. Assuming these are self grounding to the block, I'm pretty confident to say that the starter just locked up. I've never had a starter on any vehicle simply quick with out making any sort of clicking or hesitation sounds.

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Dead starter on a Mercury Sable wagon on the day the Northeast suffered a power blackout. Banged starter a few times with a hammer, no start, replaced it. There are many ways for a starter to fail and the plain dead starter is just one failure mode.

By measuring for 12v on the 'S' terminal each time the ignition switch is turned to START, you eliminated the starting circuit, including the neutral safety start switch and narrowed it down to a faulty starter.

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Dead starter on a Mercury Sable wagon on the day the Northeast suffered a power blackout. Banged starter a few times with a hammer, no start, replaced it. There are many ways for a starter to fail and the plain dead starter is just one failure mode.

By measuring for 12v on the 'S' terminal each time the ignition switch is turned to START, you eliminated the starting circuit, including the neutral safety start switch and narrowed it down to a faulty starter.

The whole "dead" starter threw me for a loop. I've been using this forum for while to matain the car and resolve any doubts that I may have about a procedure. With taht being said, whats the easiest way to get it out and what special tools (if any) would I need?

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The service manual describes Torx mounting bolts. No special problems to removing and replacing L300 starters but manuals never show real world problems........ The usual "disconnect battery negative first before working on electrical parts" is about all the precaution needed here.

Thanks for all the help guys. The staryer was prettt straight forward. Hardest part was holding it in place while starting a bolt. Foun that if you lie on top of the motor and use a long extension while holding it in place you can get it going no problem.

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......I've never had a starter on any vehicle simply [quit] with out making any sort of clicking or hesitation sounds.

As a point of information only, while this experience was new to you it is not uncommon to those who work in the repair side of the automotive industry. While I would say that a failing starter will more commonly provide some sort of noise when attempting to engage, I saw this type of scenario many times while working for my father at his service station for over nine years while in high school and college.

...276,000 miles-it keeps on rolling!
The blessings of liberty erode in my country.
Gov't's grown bigger, but a chance exists that it will be reduced. I'm cautiously hopeful.

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